Prof. Richard Burroughs
University of Rhode Island-Marine Affairs
Washburn Hall
Kingston, RI  02881
(401) 874-4045
rburroughs@uri.edu
PI


Professor Robert Thompson
University of Rhode Island
Department of Marine Affairs
Kingston, RI  02881
401-874-4485


Mr. Evan Matthews
Rhode Island Development Corporation
30 Enterprise Drive, Quonset Point
North Kingstown, RI  02852
401-295-0044

• Utilize the National Ferry Database and other sources to identify and collect data on multi-modal, mixed-use ferry terminal projects that may provide useful comparisons.
  
• Review current traffic volumes and establish scenarios for future traffic that include examining the feasibility of linking the terminal to existing ferry routes or new ferry routes.
  
• Provide hypothetical terminal facility sizes and use configurations based on seasonal and commuter travel and demand for services within the Park and larger community.
  
• Identify terminal and neighborhood amenities appropriate for the setting.
  
• Consider candidate sites for the terminal.
  
• Establish adjacent land use, regulatory, and associated issues such as security, air traffic safety, water quality, dredging, and additional considerations related to the development.

Intermodal

This study will examine the feasibility of a multi-modal, mixed-use ferry terminal at Quonset Point, Rhode Island. During the last decade and a half, many communities and developers have started thinking about the interrelationship between transportation and the built environment. Increasingly communities and developers have attempted to mix land uses to create more interesting, interactive, and profitable developments and to link different modes of transportation to create developments that can be more easily accessed and explored either with or without a car.

Recently, a number developments and redevelopments have made ferry terminals a key part of the mixed-use, multi-modal approach. A terminal at Quonset Point could provide a critical link between water transportation (ferries and possibly other boats), air transportation (the existing airport already generates approximately 8500 trips per year), and surface transportation (RIPTA buses, internal shuttles, automobiles, bicycles, and pedestrians). The terminal could also house multiple uses that would provide added amenities to other Quonset Point businesses and additional revenue streams for the terminal operator. The study will develop multiple scenarios for Quonset point and test their feasibility. The scenarios will be based upon case studies of other ferry terminal projects, existing state and local planning studies, assessments of current and potential ferry passenger flows, consultations with the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC), and state and federal regulatory requirements. A final report with concept maps and plans will be used by RIEDC to help redevelop the Quonset Point waterfront.

• Task 1. The research team will analyze selected multimodal, mixed-use terminal developments to identify factors that will be most pertinent to designing terminal scenarios for Quonset Point and evaluating their likelihood for success.
  
• Task 2. The team will review, analyze, and ultimately integrate into the terminal scenarios the key elements of selected preexisting planning efforts.
  
• Task 3. Assess available passenger flows in Southern New England ferry systems and estimate potential for new routes and uses for the terminal.
  
• Task 4. The research team will work closely with the EDC throughout the project. EDC personnel will assist in the identification and provision of information dealing with such things as potential ferry traffic and potential tenants and land uses for Quonset.
  
• Task 5. From results above, the team will create concept maps and plans for selected scenarios. These concept maps will identify the approximate terminal size, configuration (land and dock), and location options for each scenario.

Terminal development case studies, 9/04-2/05
Incorporate existing planning efforts, 9/04-5/05
Passenger flows, 12/04-7/05
RIEDC Collaboration, 9/04-8/05
Configurations, 9/04-2/05
Final Report, 2/05-8/05

$93,373.20

Tiffany Smythe, a Master's student in the Department of Marine Affairs, works as a graduate assistant on this project.

None.

Technology transfer associated with this project includes seminars for URITC, publication of a technical report through URITC, presentation at a national meeting, publication in a peer reviewed journal, and a direct working relationship with RIEDC. Through this approach we anticipate reaching both practitioners and academics with an interest in multi-modal transportation and mixed-use of coastal areas.

The product of this project will immediately be put to use by the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation in their planning efforts for the continuing development of Quonset Point. The study will also be useful to other communities in Rhode Island that may be considering the development of a new ferry terminal, the redevelopment of an existing ferry terminal, or the redevelopment of the terminal’s surrounding neighborhood. Moreover, the results of this study will be of interest to other coastal communities in the U.S. Coastal communities continue to grow at a much faster rate than the rest of the country, and their ability to expand roads is often limited. While new technologies can increase the capacities of those roads, waterborne transportation will likely become more important in an increasing number of communities. Thus, the study and its methods will not only benefit Rhode Island, but also help communities in other states to explore the feasibility of multimodal, mixed-use ferry terminals.

Multimodal Transportation, Ferry Service, Airport Planning, Parking Facilities, Bus Routes Mixed-Use Development, Environmental Planning, Catamarans